The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought clarification from the Attorney General’s Office regarding the potential military trial of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, amidst a hearing on a petition seeking to prevent his possible military custody and trial.

Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb, presiding over the hearing, questioned the Attorney General’s Office about the possibility of a military trial for Khan, who is facing charges related to the May 9 riots. The court also summoned Assistant Attorney General Azmat Bashir Tarar to the rostrum.

“The Attorney General’s Office should provide clarity to the court,” Justice Aurangzeb remarked. “You say there is no case, but what about the future?”

Imran Khan’s lawyer, Uzair Bhandari, expressed concerns regarding the possibility of a military trial, stating that they had “apprehensions.”

Justice Aurangzeb acknowledged the political nature of the situation, prompting Bhandari to point out statements made by high-ranking government and military officials.

The court adjourned the hearing after seeking clarification from the Attorney General’s Office.

It is worth noting that the IHC Registrar’s Office had previously accepted Khan’s petition seeking to prevent his military custody and trial, scheduling it for a hearing with objections.

In his petition, Khan argued that there were circulating reports of him being handed over to military custody for the May 9th cases. He requested the court to issue directives to keep him under the jurisdiction of civilian courts and prevent his military custody.

The petition names the federal government, through the Ministry of Law, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Defense, as well as the Inspector General of Islamabad Police, Inspector General of Punjab Police, Inspector General of Prisons Punjab, Superintendent of Adiala Jail, and the Federal Investigation Agency as respondents.